Filling storage device for looms

ABSTRACT

A filling storage device for looms of the type adapted to insert lengths of filling into sheds formed by warp threads, said device having a rotating drum member on which a premeasured length of filling is to be wound and held in contact therewith by a vacuum prior to its insertion into a warp shed.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John H.Nydam Whltlnsvllle, Mass.

[211 Appl. No. 1,902

[22] Filed Dec. 22, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee North American Rockwell Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] FILLING STORAGE DEVICE FOR LOOMS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 139/122R [51 Int. Cl D03d 47/34 [50] Field ofSearch 66/132;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,024,814 3/1962 Strake 139/127 3,229,725 1/1966 Saito 139/127 3,246,819 4/1966 Reader et a1 226/95 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorneys-John R. Bronaugh, George R. Powers and Floyd S.

Levison ABSTRACT: A filling storage device for looms of the type adapted to insert lengths of filling into sheds formed by warp threads, said device having a rotating drum member on which a premeasured length of filling is to be wound and held in contact therewith by a vacuum prior to its insertion into a warp shed.

PAT ENTED SEPI 419m SHEET 1 UF 3 PATENTEUSEPI 4|91| 3604- 472 sum 2 or 3 FILLING STORAGE DEVICE FOR LOOMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to looms of the type in which filling is supplied from a stationary source and is not carried back and forth through the warp shed by a shuttle or carrier member. In particular the invention pertains to an improved device which provides a continuous, smooth and even withdrawal of the filling yarn from its source of supply. This is accomplished by temporarily and sequentially wrapping each pick of filling on the outer periphery of a continuously rotating drum member and holding it in contact therewith by a vacuum means until its insertion into a warp shed.

2. Description of the Prior Art In looms to which the instant invention is applicable different forms of filling storage devices are utilized intermediate the source of filling supply and the means for projecting a length of filling yarn into a shed of warp threads.

One such means is that of a rotatable cylindrical drum having a mechanically controlled radially slidable pin disposed on one side of the outer periphery of the drum. The pin is adapted to catch the filling causing the latter to be wound on the drum and at time of pick said pin is retracted to permit the filling inserting means to withdraw the filling from said drum. In preparation for the next pick the pin must again be extended to repeal the cycle of catching the filling and causing it to be wrapped on the cylindrical drum such as is shownv and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,5 l9,786.

Another such means is that of a rotatable cylindrical drum having an arcuated finger fixed to one side of the outer periphery thereof and a curved cover element partially surrounding said drum which is timed to rotate slightly faster than the drum. The arcuated finger is disposed so as to catch the filling to cause it to be wrapped about the outer periphery of the drum and at time of pick the cover element is timed to move over and past the finger to slip the filling therefrom thereby permitting the inserting means to withdraw the pick of filling from the drum. An example of this type filling storage device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,223.

A still further means utilized is that of an elongated vacuum or suction tube, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. 3,233,634, into which a length of filling is drawn prior to its insertion into a shed or warp threads.

At the time of pick insertion, the cylindrical drum type of filling storage devices described are stripped of their filling and in preparation for each subsequent pick the filling must be intermittently drawn from its source of supply and at a very rapid rate as is well known to those familiar with the art.

In many instances the intermittent and rapid withdrawal of filling yarn has been responsible for breakage of the latter, and with spun yarn which is formed with a certain amount of twist, a loss in tension thereof will result in the yarn becoming twisted to the extent of being carried into the shed in that manner. Such a condition can produce a so-called short pick as well as an imperfection in the weave.

The vacuum or suction tube type of storing device also leaves something to be desired relative to the relatively high amount of holding force on the length of filling during its initial withdrawal for insertion into a warp shed. Additionally the distance which the filling must extend into a suction tube to provide the required length ofa pick results in a restriction on the control of the filling which can become twisted to the extent of being drawn into a shed in such a condition.

The filling storage device according to the instant invention has corrected the difficulties experienced with mechanisms of the prior art by providing a means whereby the filling yarn is withdrawn from its source of supply at a smooth, even and continuous rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The filling storage device of the present invention is disposed at the side of the loom and in a position intermediate its source of supply and the means for inserting each pick of filling into a shed of warp threads.

The device includes a continuously rotating drum member having an outer periphery influenced by a suction or vacuum device that is effective in holding each length of a filling pick in contact therewith as the latter is wrapped thereon. The outer periphery of this drum member is tapered in the direction of the warp sheds and serves to facilitate the doffing of each length of filling from the drum when acted upon by the means for inserting it into a shed.

Additionally the vacuum means for holding the filling in contact with the drum is efiective in immediate pickup of the filling yarn after each withdrawal to initiate the wrapping of the next pick on the drum thereby permitting a continuous and even withdrawal of said filling from its source of supply.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a means for temporarily and sequentially storing premeasured lengths of filling yarn on the outer periphery of a continuously rotating filling storage drum,

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a filling storage device which is effective in permitting a smooth, even and continuous withdrawal of the filling yarn from its source of supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of that portion of a loom which controls the insertion of filling yarn into warp sheds showing the device according to the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in exploded form of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the left hand side of the loom showing the means for rotating the filling storage drum and actuating the filling inserting means in timed sequence with the weaving cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The filling storage device according to the invention is shown and described as being applied to a loom of the fluid jet type; however, it should be understood it is equally applicable on other types of looms wherein the filling yarn is presented to the means for inserting it into sheds of warp threads from a stationary source of supply.

Referring to the drawings wherein only as much of a loom structure is depicted as is necessary to a complete understand ing of the invention, there is shown in FIG. 1 a lay beam 10 which is adapted to reciprocate in a known manner during the performance of its intended function. This lay supports a reed 11 through which the warp threads 12 are adapted to extend and harness members 13 and 14 with their heddles 15 are effective in forming the warp sheds into which premeasured lengths of filling yarn 16 are inserted.

The woven fabric is indicated by numeral 17 and the usual temples 18 (one only shown) are utilized to maintain tension on said fabric as it is advanced to a cloth guide roll shown at 19. A nozzle element 20 provides the means for inserting each pick of filling into its respective shed opening and fluid under pressure is furnished to said nozzle through a feed line 21 from any suitable source (not shown). This nozzle element 20 is adjustably attached to a bracket 21 the latter of which is fixed to a support stand 22 that is assembled as at 23 to the upper portion of the loom frame shown at 24. This upper portion of the loom frame has suitably fixed to the outer side thereof an enclosed housing 25 containing driving elements (not shown) which are mechanically linked to a shaft 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Shaft 26 is supported for rotation in the direction of the indicating arrow 27 within a drive housing 28 which extends forwardly from and forms an integral part of the enclosed housing 25.

The filling storage device according to the invention is indicated generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 by numeral 29 and is adapted to assemble on shaft 26 for rotation therewith. As shown in FIG. 2 the device includes a backing plate 30 through which shaft 26 is adapted to extend and by means of a mounting block 31 and screw 32 said backing plate is fixedly positioned in close proximity with the drive housing 28.

The inner end of shaft 26 is threaded as at 32 and by means of a flange nut 33 a circular drum member 34 is adapted to be I fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith. A suction line or vacuum connection 35 communicates with the interior of the drum member 34 by means of a sealed connection to an opening 36 provided in the backing plate 30 (FIG. 2). Other than its sealed connection to the backing plate 30, the vacuum connection 35 is further supported by a bar member 37 one end of which is fixed to said vacuum connection by welding or the like and the opposite end (not shown) is suitably attached to the loom frame as by bolting.

The outer periphery of the drum member 34 includes a relatively narrow cylindrical portion 38 coaxial with the axis of said drum member and contiguous therewith a frustoconical tapered portion 39 which is directed inwardly and toward the path the filling 16 is caused to follow during its insertion into a warp shed. The tapered portion 39 of the drum member 34 includes at least one air intake port or opening 40 which provides a means for the vacuum connection 35 to draw air into the drum and create a suction action for attracting the filling yarn and maintaining it in contact with the drum as it is wound thereon. A screen 40 covering the opening 49 prevents the filling from being drawn into the drum member 34, and provides a means for holding a portion of each pick in contact therewith.

The filling yarn is drawn from its fixed source of supply (not shown) by a pair of juxtapositioned cylindrical rollers 41 and 42 (FIG. 1). These rollers are rotatably mounted on an arm 43 one end of which is pivotably attached to a mounting bracket 44 as at 45. The rollers 41 and 42 are in frictional contact one with the other and, by means of a coil spring 46 continually urging arm 43 in a downwardly direction, one of the rollers is held in frictional contact with the cylindrical portion 38 of the drum member 34. One end of coils spring 46 is attached to the forward end of arm 43 as at 47 and the opposite end is con nected to bar members 37 as at 48. The instant arrangement shows the forward roller 41 as being in frictional contact with the drum member 34 and is caused to be rotated by said drum member in the direction of the indicating arrow 49 shown in FIG. 1. This roller being in frictional contact with roller 42 causes the latter to be rotated in the direction of the indicating arrow 50.

The filling yarn 16 passes between rollers 41 and 42 and their rotation as described provides the means for drawing said filling from its source of supply through thread guide elements 51 and 52 (FIG. 1). The surface velocity of rollers 41 and 42 determines the length of the filling yarn 16 that is caused to be wrapped about the tapered portion 39 of the drum member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filling yarn extends from the drum member through a centrally disposed opening in a depending platelike thread guide 53. From the thread guide 53 the filling passes through a known form offilling clamping device 54 and thence into the nozzle element 20 which provides the means for its insertion into a warp shed.

FIG. 3 shows the means for actuating the nozzle element 20 in timed relation to the rotation of the drum member 34.

Power is furnished to the loom by means of an electric motor 55 mounted on a stand 56 that is suitably carried by the loom frame 24. A pulley element 57 assembled on the motors driving shaft is connected to a pulley 58 by means of an endless belt 59. Pulley 58 is fixed on and adapted to rotate a drive pinion shaft 60 in a clockwise direction. This drive pinion shaft is also provided with a pinion gear 61 which is in mesh with and adapted to rotate in an anticlockwise direction a transmitter gear 62 that is assembled on the looms main drive shaft 63. The gearing for rotating the drum member is disposed above the transmitter gear 62 and includes crank gears 64 and 64' mounted on the looms crankshaft 65 with crank gear 64 being in mesh with said transmitter gear. The crank gears 64 and 64 are caused to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown by the indicating arrow 65 in FIG. 3. A shaft 66 is positioned forwardly of the loom s crank shaft 65 and carries an intermediate gear 67 which is in mesh with the crank gear 64' and a driven gear 68 carried on shaft 36, all of which are within the drive housing 28. This gearing arrangement rotates shaft 26 and the drum member 34 carried thereon in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 and the speed thereof is arranged to permit a full pick to be wrapped on said drum member before the means for inserting the pick is actuated.

The means for activating the nozzle element 20 includes a piston actuated pump generally indicated in FIG. 3 by numeral 69. The rod connected to the piston (not shown) within the pump extends from the latter as at 70 and is pivotably connected to one arm of a bellcrank lever 71 by means of a link 72. This bellcrank 71 is pivotably attached to the loom frame 24 as at 73 and its other arm carries a cam follower 74 which is adapted to follow the outer periphery of an actuating cam 75 carried on the loom s crank shaft 65. Fluid enters the pump 69 through a supply line 76 from any suitable source and is forced therefrom under pressure upon actuation of the piston through the feed line 21 to the nozzle element 20 in timed sequence with the weaving cycle.

In operation the filling is being drawn from its source of supply at a smooth, even and continuous rate by the rotating rollers 41 and 42 between which it passes. After passing between the rollers, the filling is wrapped about the tapered portion 39 of the drum member and is held in contact therewith by means of the suction action of air being drawn into said drum through opening 40.

The nozzle element 20 is timed to be activated when a length of filling sufficient to extend across the shed has been wound on the drum. The clamping device 54 then releases its grip on the filling and the jet action of the nozzle element is effective in drawing the wound yarn off of the drum and inserting it into the warp shed.

The filling yarn after being withdrawn from the drum member continues to be drawn from its source of supply by the rotating rollers 41 and 42 between which it passes. The opening 40 in the drum member is timed to pass beneath the rollers upon completion of withdrawal of each pick and is then in position for immediate pickup of said filling so as to initiate the winding of the next pick on said drum member thereby causing the filling to be drawn from its source at a constant rate.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. For a loop having a measuring device for drawing predetermined lengths of filling yarn from a fixed outside source of supply and inserting said lengths of filling into sheds of warp threads, a filling storage device for temporarily and sequentially storing said lengths of filling prior to their insertion into said sheds which comprises:

a. a continuously rotating drum member having an outer periphery about which said lengths of filling are adapted to be wrapped, and

b. a fluid pressure means for holding the filling in contact with the outer periphery of said drum member as it is wrapped thereon.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drum has a tapered outer periphery extending about the circumferential extent thereof and converging in the direction of said sheds to facilitate the withdrawal of the filling therefrom as it is inserted into said sheds.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure means includes means communicating with said drum member for reducing the air pressure therein to an ambient level.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said drum member, through the outer periphery thereof, has at least one air intake port communicating between the outer and inner surfaces of said drum member, thereby causing the filling yarn 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said air intake port includes a screen element covering the area thereof to prevent said filling thread from being carried into said drum memberb the air bei dr wn er to mamtam contact with said outer periphery as it is wound 5 y a th em by said vacuum means thereon.

W511 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3 604,472 Dated September 14, 197].

Inventor(s) j hn H Nydam It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 30, change "repeal" to read "repeat" line 48, change "or" to read "of" Column 4, line 21, after "bellcrank" insert ---lever--- line 54, Claim 1, change "loop" to read "loom" Signed and sealed this 8th da of May 1973- (3 All) fittest:

EDWARD II.FLETUHER,EL Attesting Cificer 120mm GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents 

1. For a loop having a measuring device for drawing predetermined lengths of filling yarn from a fixed outside source of supply and inserting said lengths of filling into sheds of warp threads, a filling storage device for temporarily and sequentially storing said lengths of filling prior to their insertion into said sheds which comprises: a. a continuously rotating drum member having an outer periphery about which said lengths of filling are adapted to be wrapped, and b. a fluid pressure means for holding the filling in contact with the outer periphery of said drum member as it is wrapped thereon.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drum has a tapered outer periphery extending about the circumferential extent thereof and converging in the direction of said sheds to facilitate the withdrawal of the filling therefrom as it is inserted into said sheds.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure means includes means communicating with said drum member for reducing the air pressure therein to an ambient level.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said drum member, through the outer periphery thereof, has at least one air intake port communicating between the outer and inner surfaces of said drum member, thereby causing the filling yarn to maintain contact with said outer periphery as it is wound thereon.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said air intake port includes a screen element covering the area thereof to prevent said filling thread from being carried into said drum member by the air being drawn therein by said vacuum means. 